Who made the ironwork for the Crystal Palace?

Lithograph by T Picken after an original painting by Phillip Brannan I've been working recently with the Chance Heritage Trust, who are busy whipping up enthusiasm for the restoration of the huge Chance Glassworks at Spon Lane in Smethwick. Chance's were an iconic local employer and had many claims to fame, but the most enduring … Continue reading Who made the ironwork for the Crystal Palace?

Ag labhairt Gaeilge sa Tír Dhubh – speaking Irish in the Black Country

Digbeth Coach Station, Birmingham - its familiar "A Hundred Thousand Welcomes" sign is a traditional Irish greeting (Dreamstime) This post follows on from this one about the use of Gaeilge, the Irish language, in mid-19th century Wolverhampton. I will likely need even more correction on my Irish in this post... Last time around I looked … Continue reading Ag labhairt Gaeilge sa Tír Dhubh – speaking Irish in the Black Country

Gaeilge sa Tír Dhubh: the Irish language in the Black Country

It's been a while since a post here, and I'd presumed that being furloughed from work would provide me with tons of spare time to write a blog. Reader, it does not work like that. However, I have been able to cobble something together about something that's on my mind at the moment - Gaeilge, … Continue reading Gaeilge sa Tír Dhubh: the Irish language in the Black Country